[Review] Xtar VC4SL Charger for Li-ion & NiMH 18650/14500/AA/AAA

[@StratmanII]

I received my XTAR VC4SL charger a few days ago by delivery. It charges my 21700 and 18650 lithium ion batteries fine, but when it comes to NiMH, the VC4SL left me puzzling. I have two old Sanyo Eneloop 2000 mAH which I use for my XHDATA D219 shortwave radio and I charged them with the VC4SL. To my surprise, the VC4SL registered 3,050 mAH on Slot 1 and 3,210 mAH on Slot 2 for both Eneloops after charging them to full at 500mA for eight hours. That is an impossibility because the largest capacity Eneloop that Sanyo had manufactured was the 2500 mAH models. My other chargers are the Nitecore UM4 and Liitokala M4 which I've had for over 2 years but still in working condition. Neither charger has ever indicated more than 2100 mAh for any of white Sanyo or Panasonic Eneloops. Is there an issue with the VC4SL model that I don't know about? 🤔

[@BeaversHobby]

It's the total amp that's been pumped into the battery. I guess it doesn't match the battery's spec because of the wear and it has to pump in more to get the terminal voltage. Either that or the calibration is off. If you get the correct terminal voltage then it should be fine.

[@StratmanII]

@@BeaversHobby Thank you so much for the possible explanation. You are indeed right, these pair of Eneloops had been around since 2008 or 2009, when I was using my old MAHA PowerEx MH-C9000 charger/analyzer. I used them in an XHDATA D-219 shortwave/AM/FM radio and I don't think this radio has an auto cut off voltage for NiMH cells. In fact, it was probably designed for disposable alkalines or zinc carbon AA batteries. I think I my judgment of the VC4SL was influenced by a few random postings in either Reddit or the BLF threads by XTAR charger owners, who mentioned that the VC4SL was much better at lithium ion battery grading than NiMH. In any case, the charger is still under its 15-day return warranty. It was a toss up between the Vapcell S4+ charger and the VC4SL. I didn't buy the Liitokala Lii-M4S since I already own the older M4 model and the 'S' upgrade model just has the battery storage mode.

[@RainWalker24c]

I used the old original vc4 for years. Has been good to me. But the darn cable is getting loose connection now on the usb A side(runs to psu). I didn't feel like resoldering the cable so I bent it at a perfect angle on top of usbA then wrapped electrical tape tightly around to secure. Getting full power again. Works but just matter of time before works loose again. Was just going to get another cable but decided to get another charger. Better to have a backup than not lol. The vc4SL looks to be a great upgrade. I got the xtar brand qc3 charger with it. Only issue I see is the current differences. I thought you could lock it in from menu probably. Probably won't bother me once I get hands on with it though. I usually only charge 1-2 at a time. I'm guessing its kind of like the vc4. 2 outer slots, I get max amp(1Ax2). But if I use the 2 inner slots or all 4 it goes to half(0.5Ax2, x3, x4). Seems the SL is 0.5/1Ax4, 2Ax2 on end slots, & 3Ax1. I am glad I bought a additional cable. Felt like the one my vc4 was a bit to short, with this new charger probably coming with same length. It is a monoprice 3.1 gen2(3A, 10gbps) meter cable. Product # 24287 UPC # 889028054178. They are pretty reliable with actual spec and quality. Been using their hdmi cables for many years with no issues.

[@btaens]

Bought this just a few days ago. The provided cable still doesn't support QuickCharge 3.0, though quick charging does work with a different cable.

[@markymoo22]

If you buy with included charger, will this be quick charge? If not, theres no advantage to spending more!? Also is Ali Express the legitimat shop? Ive never used that site before.

[@BeaversHobby]

If you already have a phone charger with QC3.0 then you don't need one with the adapter. It's just a normal QC3.0 charger. The official shop on Aliexpress is legit. Aliexpress is basically a platform for the shops so you will need to check which shop are you buying from and make sure you are buying from the official one by checking the name, feedback and rating.

[@HostileHitman]

Cons list at the end states it doesn't support quick charge, but their website says it supports 3A charging? They say you can manually change it between 3A, 2A, 1A, and 0.5A.

[@BeaversHobby]

You can select but it won't increase beyond what it detects from the internal resistance. I also show that in the video.

[@tddrivers]

Hi can this charge the LIFEPO4 batteries? With lower voltage 3,65V max?

[@BeaversHobby]

No, I don't think so. The filling is different so you'd better get the specific charger for that.

[@Alexybs]

I have a VC4SL, but after 5-6 uses when charging, the display turns off completely, and with 3 batteries inserted, all the lights after a certain amount of charging light up in red? Even on the slot where there is no battery? The buttons are not active and must be disabled. and incl. in the power supply to operate normally. I also tried with a regular charger that is not Fast Charge and again the same problem? Is the XTAR charger defective or is something else going on?

[@BeaversHobby]

This is definitely defective.

[@IsraelMagalit]

Why do Li-ion batteries need to be drained to half capacity before storage? When it's time to use them, they will take longer to charge to fill capacity again 🤔

[@BeaversHobby]

It is how lithium works. The chemical is more stable when half-charged when not in use for a long time. This will also prolong battery life. So you charge it half now and then another half when you want to use it.

[@IsraelMagalit]

@@BeaversHobby Ah I see. Thanks for the explanation.

[@BeaversHobby]

@@IsraelMagalit My pleasure.

[@TehLuNaTiC]

How i can check whats the current capacity of a battery ? even when it says full when i charge i cant see how much it have inside...

[@BeaversHobby]

You'll have to put it in test mode and it'll charge then discharge the battery to check the capacity.

[@TehLuNaTiC]

@@BeaversHobby should i do it on new batteries or nah ?

[@BeaversHobby]

@@TehLuNaTiC No need. Normally you don't need to do that at all except if you feel like the battery life is too short and deciding if you want to throw it away or not then use the capacity test to decide it.

[@twrcrew8852]

Don't put it in test mode. you will waste 1 cycle. Instead, find a charger that logs Mah. Deplete the battery you want to check, then charge it. the UMS4 says how many Mah went in before it reached maximum voltage. therefore it's capacity. then simply observe the Mah and reference against the rated capacity. it will tell you if the battery is within spec you bought it. (some battery companies scam you from the beginning though, just prepare to assume such. Like Nitecore's 21700s say 5000mah but only have around 4500mah in reality. So as long as it's close, you should be good to go. Eneloops have always reached or exceeded their labeled capacity for me on the other hand, while EBLs never once have.)

[@dhonzlimlingan0118]

So USB Type-C 5A cable color purple working?

[@BeaversHobby]

Yes, it should. This charger runs in Quick Charge 3.0 so any cable that works with QC3.0 will do fine. Otherwise it'll just run in standard mode.

[@dhonzlimlingan0118]

@@BeaversHobby thank you

[@TheCorne87]

I recieved mine today and it works great and al the modi's to, but how can i see the real mah capacity of the battery i tried al modi's but i don't get it?

[@adrianTNT]

Does it charge the AA 1.5V Li-ion from Xtar ?

[@BeaversHobby]

Unfortunately, no. Only 1.2V nimh and 3.6V/3.7V Li-ion.

[@spamcan9208]

After I caught my current charger letting my nimh cells get above 150°F I figured I'd better get one that won't cook my brand new and pricey eneloops. Is it possible to change the charging current per slot? I'm curious how accurate the grading mode is but as long as it doesn't roach my batteries that's what is most important.

[@BeaversHobby]

The charging current is the same for all the slots, unfortunately. But it will go as far as each battery can take so even if you charge 18650 at 2A on one slot and have another AAA in one slot, the AAA will charge at around 0.5A anyway. The grading is accurate as far as I tested.

[@alimuharremturan581]

@@BeaversHobby slota 2 adet aaa eneloop koyduğumda malesef 1mA ile akım veriyor tek koyduğumda 2mA olarak başlıyor bu çok saçma şarj aleti ni mah AAA boyut için max 500mA geçmeden şarj başlaması gerekir xtar üreticileri bunu nasıl düşünemezler bence çok kötü pilleri yuvaya takıp kendi haline bırakamazsınız her seferinde müdehale gerekir şarj akımı pilin cinsine göre değil slot sayısına takılan hücreye bağlı olarak düşüyor gibi gözüküyor kabul edilemez bir hata bence litokala 600 satın alacaktım keşke onu satın alsaymışım diyorum xtar firması şarj aletleri üretiyorsa bunları düşünmek hesabını yapmak zorundadır ben amatör bir kullanıcı olarak bunları biliyorsam bu telafisiz aptalca bir durum

[@themanfromcabowabo1559]

My VC4SL has the blue USB-A connector. It passes the correct current with a QC3.0 wall adapter.

[@oscarcrendeful]

Do you know why is charging current determined by internal resisntace?

[@BeaversHobby]

The internal resistance basically tells how is the battery health so based on that the charger can select the appropriate charging current to make the best out of the battery.

[@raphaelglossarium]

Is the internal resistance value of this charger really accurate and reliable? I really need this info if you can help

[@BeaversHobby]

I don't have other tool to measure the internal resistance to compare with this charger. However judging by the performance of the batteries from the resistance it shows, I'd say it's pretty accurate or at least it's reliable enough to tell you how much life is left in there.

[@raphaelglossarium]

@@BeaversHobby Oh Thanks a lot my friend so I guess i'm sticking with it

[@lightweaverx4381]

I wonder how far it is from fitting a 26800 cell and if it can be modified to fit.

[@BeaversHobby]

The slot can extend to 79mm so it's 1mm short of what you want.

[@lightweaverx4381]

@@BeaversHobbythanks would you know how close it is with the vp4+?

[@BeaversHobby]

@@lightweaverx4381 The length seems to be the same.

[@ΕΛΛΗΝΑΣΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑΣ]

Can this charge CR123A lithium ion batteries ?

[@heroinrock]

is a “break in charge” setting not necessary for new AAA batteries? i just bought this charger cuz it seems simple and cheap but dunno if it has all the settings i would need

[@BeaversHobby]

You can set the current manually during charge if you want to do it.

[@MXHSAY]

Could it do 4 D batteries at the same time?

[@BeaversHobby]

Unfortunately, no. D battery won't fit in this charger.

[@davidfarrell7318]

i just bought one of these chargers i hope it is as good as you said it is when i get it question does it charge c size battery's thanks.

[@BeaversHobby]

It'll fit. C battery has 26.2mm and this one can take up to 32mm diameter.

[@davidfarrell7318]

i got adapter today it fits perfectly thanks.

[@allentituspaz3241]

I bought this charger. Im curious, when I use storage charge, and when I charge my 18650. When I charge four 18650's, Do I have to set manually the current amp like 3amps/2ams/1amp, etc? and when I storage charge, do I have to set the current amp even if its 1 to 4 batteries or it will just have the current ammp automatically regardless of the number of batteries being storage charged?

[@BeaversHobby]

Don't need to change the current for that. It'll take care of itself.

[@allentituspaz3241]

@@BeaversHobby even at charging?

[@BeaversHobby]

@@allentituspaz3241 Yes. It will charge the battery at the highest possible current already. You can only decrease that so there's not much use to change the charging current.

[@allentituspaz3241]

@@BeaversHobby thank you very much for the information. I will use this charger to my radiomaster tx16s and for my goggle 18650.

[@nonshatter7]

From my understanding this VC4SL is the same as the VC4 plus.

[@BeaversHobby]

Yes, the official shop page on Aliexpress says it's the same as VC4 Plus.

[@jorgeestrada3815]

The battery tray is longer on the vc4sl to accommodate the 21700 protected batteries

[@hariskertanegara]

Can this charger do discharge sir?

[@BeaversHobby]

It can but not a full discharge mode like the others. There are Storage mode that discharges li-ion to storage voltage and grading mode that discharges and charges the battery to check the maximum capacity.

[@hariskertanegara]

@@BeaversHobby thank you sire. Im too dumb to inderstand it.but now j know

[@Jebatderhaka]

honestly im prefer 1)Vapcell S4 Plus 2)Xtar VC4SL 3) Liito Kala Lii 600

[@c.h.5338]

do you have amazon link

[@BeaversHobby]

I found one but not sure which seller this is www.amazon.com/XTAR-Upgrade-Version-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B09MT1ZSKL .

[@studiotegleg]

please could you show what is inside a one way diff? it would make an interesting short video and help me designing a 3d printed car. thanks

[@BeaversHobby]

Unfortunately I can't do that because it's enclosed inside and I can't take it apart. However I can draw you a diagram if you want. Basically it's a tube with 2 one way bearings, on each side there's drive cup with 3mm shaft that goes into the bearing.

[@studiotegleg]

@@BeaversHobby one way bearings, ok. thanks for this helpful info. keep up the great vids!

[@BeaversHobby]

@@studiotegleg My pleasure.

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

Currently not happy with this charger. Atm I use a 2A-USB-power supply which should work with 4x AAA and charge current 500mA. But the 4th bay charge maybe 50% and then it shows Done. The 4th also shows unbelievable low capacity in "Grad."-mode. "Grad."-mode seems not to work, maybe the bays 1-3 shows the right capacity but after the Recharge the ceels should be charge to full, but this also don´t work, seems to be a general problem with this charger. And in the "Grad."-Mode only the discharge capacity is shown, so I can´t see how much it really loads. And this mode is extremly show at discharging. And another general problem is the bays can´t be set to different modes or different charge currents. Overall a pure disappointment for me.

[@patrickzstarz]

Same problem with me😅

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

@@patrickzstarz Was an old post, menawhile I would see this charger is shit for NiMH. Nearly all NiMH start stop mostly before it was charged to 50%, no matter which bay used.

[@patrickzstarz]

@@reifenabhobeler4331 yes! Exactly same experience here. Do you have any recommended charger (and tester) for nimh batteries?

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

@@patrickzstarz Depends on your budget and types of cells, my overall recommendation is the Vapcell S4+. It cannot charge D cells, but I don´t use D cells.

[@patrickzstarz]

@@reifenabhobeler4331 great, going to my wishlist... Currently considering vapcell s4+ v2.0 and skyrc nc1500 or nc2200 I found on the internet and KZbin comment, even the vapcell v2.0 has bug on capacity test. Is this true?

[@dantist06]

What RC car is that at 4:48? Looks interesting.

[@BeaversHobby]

It's Mini-Z AWD MA-020 chassis. Here's my unboxing + first impression / short review. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJvJZ4KvncqFa6M

[@dantist06]

@@BeaversHobby Thanks mate

[@eduardofernandes7327]

I'm undecided on whether to buy Nitecore UMS4 or Xtrar VC4SL... I heard that Xtar repairs batteries and nitecore doesn't.... which would be your choice of purchase and which is the best?

[@BeaversHobby]

Unfortunately I have never tried the Nitecore so I can't comment on that. So far Xtar has been working great for me except the charging rate is a bit slow and can't be increased beyond what it determines from the internal resistance so no quick charge for it.

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

If you want to charge NiMH stay away from this awful charger. Ut´s not the 1st from Xtar which don´t work with NiMH and I think it will not be the last

[@rdjr9811]

@@reifenabhobeler4331 what charger do you suggest?

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

@@rdjr9811 A good charger for NiMH and LiIon is the Vapcell S4+

[@twrcrew8852]

UMS4 is the one I have. it definitely has a repair function. when a battery that has been over discharged is placed in a slot, it will say EEEE on the left side reading for that slot. From there, you simply hold down the "mode" button and you enter a revive mode. it will jolt-up the battery until it can be read by the charger again once the process starts and for me it has so far worked every single time (i Kill my batteries too far a LOT because I use them in some lamps that don't have computers to shut them off above a certain charge, I try to catch it before it's too late but often don't)

[@billkillernic]

Is it possible to wire up the poles of a 9V rechargeable 250-300 mah Ni-MH battery (you know the ones that have similar shape to a zippo lighter and have both poles on the upper side) ? Actually what I ask is can you try it? lol

[@BeaversHobby]

This charger can't charge a 9v battery.

[@billkillernic]

@@BeaversHobby Just try it I dont see a reason why it couldnt :P Like there are 9v battery headers very cheap get a rechargeable 9v battery and clip that header on it and then connect the cables of the header to the + and - of the charger and see :P

[@BeaversHobby]

@@billkillernic It will potentially kill this charger that's why I won't have to try. Best case scenario it will say overvolt. If it's other charger like SkyRC B6, sure it'll charge.

[@c.k.hobbyshop3351]

Very nice 👌 👍

[@timmerz8569]

Need1

[@מדינט]

It's a very very bad charger, if you want to destroy your batteries, but it!. First time Xtar, last time Xtar. It will charge your batter at 1amp even if the battery is at 4.16V.

[@alexmiller9198]

👎 for lisping voice.